Arthur Crudup wrote the song that became Elvis’ first hit. He barely got paid

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, often referred to as the father of rock ‘n’ roll, wrote the 1946 song “That’s All Right,” which became Elvis Presley’s first hit. Despite his significant contribution to music, Crudup received minimal royalties due to a recording contract that funneled earnings to his manager. Crudup spent his later years in Virginia working as a laborer, barely scraping by.

His granddaughter, Prechelle Crudup Shannon, highlights the exploitation he faced, noting that his struggles went beyond financial loss to include the burdens of racial and economic inequality. Crudup’s music was covered by prominent artists like Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, and even the Beatles, yet he lived in relative obscurity.

In recent years, there have been efforts to recognize Crudup’s contributions. He was briefly depicted in the 2022 biopic “Elvis” and mentioned by a California reparations task force. The 70th anniversary of Presley’s recording of “That’s All Right” is being marked with a highway marker in Virginia in Crudup’s honor.

Despite his hardships, Crudup returned to music during the 1960s blues revival, performing alongside legends like B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt. He passed away in 1974, but his estate eventually received some financial restitution. Crudup’s legacy remains underappreciated, and his family continues to advocate for his rightful place in music history.

Source: AP News
Image Source: Eatonland, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons